The Rise of Vegan Vacations: Where to Go and How to Plan Them

Aishwarya, a freelance writer and marketing specialist has worked for brands around the world. A trained artist and traveler at heart, she particularly enjoys working on projects related to travel, art and design. In her spare time she can be found gardening (expanding her army of cacti!) or planning her next journey of self-discovery.

Eating out on vacation can be difficult for vegetarians and vegans, and the struggle to find decent food is quite real. However, ethical tourism, which involves seeking different cultural experiences without harming animals or exploiting the environment, is on the rise. Lately, several tour operators have sprung up offering packages catering specifically to vegans.

VegVoyages is one such company that offers specialized vegan adventure tours in Asia. Launched in 2004, they now organize over 20 trips a year in various countries. It is one of the many operators across the globe catering to the growing vegan tourism market.

So are you wondering how do you exactly plan a vegan vacation? Here’s everything you need to know.

The Best Places to Visit for Vegan Travelers

Vegan travel is fuelled by vegetarians and vegans looking for more options as well as non-vegetarians who are open to new experiences. But, the last thing you want when vacationing in a new country is only to be able to eat salads and side dishes. Food is the biggest incentive for going on a vegan tour, and certain countries are more suited to a vegan diet than others. By opting for a vegan trip, you’ll be able to enjoy eating like the locals in addition to immersing yourself in the local history and culture.

India, Indonesia, and Laos are popular counties for vegan travelers. In Indonesia, Bali and Sumatra have more vegan food options on offer than you can count. You’re also likely to encounter other vegan tourists from all walks of life, ranging in age from 18 to 80. Other countries chock full of vegan options would include England, Germany, Canada, and Australia. If you don’t want to venture out of the U.S., theme parks like Disneyland and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are treasure-troves of delicious vegan fare.

Steps to Planning A Vegan Vacation

Once you’ve decided where to go, planning a vegan trip isn’t as hard as it might sound. All you need is some time on your hands to do some organizing and research.

Plan in Advance: Consider all your options and narrow down the ones that appeal most to you. Would you prefer to go on an all-inclusive cruise or do you want to do all the planning yourself? If you’re planning a DIY holiday, book a place to stay that is near vegan restaurants or has cooking facilities.

Find the Right Tour Operator: If you do decide to go with a tour operator, read reviews online and look up itineraries and costs. Vegan Travel is a German company specializing in vegan ocean and river cruises. Other operators to consider are CPG Vegan Trips, founded by renowned animal advocate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and hertravel partners Brighde Reed and Sebastien Ranger.

Do your Research: Read up on some typical vegan dishes in different cuisines, so you don’t miss out on these. Also, bring a backup supply of vegan snacks and pick up local treats so you’ll have something to munch on if hunger strikes.

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More people around the world are warming up to the idea of leading predominantly vegan lifestyles, leading to an increase in the demand for vegan travel. It’s becoming more important to people to travel sustainably and live responsibly while enjoying vegan and vegetarian foods. By opting for this kind of trip, you’ll be able to have more options and enjoy what the locals eat without worrying about whether it’s vegan.